Hybrid Regimes

Neil Lund

2024-10-22

Hybrid regimes

What about systems with elements of both autocracy and democracy?

  • Democracy can vary across groups or regions within a country
  • Some countries blend elements of democratic and non-democratic systems

Hong Kong

Special administrative region since 1984

Economically polarized, free, but under Chinese authority

Important for Chinese economy, but also in tension with governing structure

Structure of government

  • Chief executive elected by elites

  • Legislative branch is a mix of elites and popularly elected seats

  • Pro-regime faction vs. Pan-Democrats. Both sides use protest as a means to impose costs on others.

Protest activity

Precursors

Pre-2014 events

  • 2003 security legislation

  • 2006/2007 opposition to pier developments

  • 2009 railway demonstrations

  • 2012 Student’s protest

  • 2013 TV licensure protests

Student sit-in protesting the demolition of Star Ferry pier

Each round of events leads to new organizations, media outlets, and noted activists entering the scene

Demand for universal suffrage

Triggers

  • Activists promote at June 2014 civic referendum on electing a chief executive by popular vote. Chinese government releases a white paper that implies that Hong Kong has too much autonomy
  • Election referendum draws significant turnout.
  • Mainland committee rules in August: “the Chief Executive shall be a person who loves the country and loves Hong Kong” (pre-screening of candidates)

Student walk-out (September 22, 2014)

Occupation

  • Activists proposed an occupation of a central square in 2013, but had limited support

  • Event was planned for October 1 (a national holiday) but a handful of students jumped a fence in Civic Square on September 26 2014

State response

Umbrella revolution (2014)

Public response

  • Expanded contention

  • Non-violent but disruptive protests (umbrellas)

  • Polarization (emergence of anti-occupy protesters)

Drawdown

Anti-Extradition protests

Yuen-Long station attack